Lyrarakis Syrah Red 2016

Lyrarakis are true champions of indigenous Cretan grapes. The family is one of the top producers working with local varietal Kotsifali and are credited with the revival of two ancient Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto. They just brought them back from extinction and found a place for them in the modern wine world. Like Jurassic Park, if Richard Attenborough got the velociraptors jobs as grill chefs in one of Gordon Ramsey's kitchens.

This blend of Syrah & Kotsifali has a vibrant ruby red colour, a delicate balance highlighted by delicious blueberries, sweet spices and fresh herbs. Showing elegant tannins and piquant aftertaste.

The Lyrarakis Estate is a family winery which has been producing high quality wines since 1966. The family is credited with the revival of two ancient Cretan varieties, Dafni and Plyto while a third vineyard treasure, the indigenous Melissaki, is recently added to the credits. Surrounded by the idyllic setting of the vineyards and the Lassithi mountains we offer you the opportunity to enjoy nature and discover local varieties and wines distinguished by the uniqueness of their origin and heritage.
The winery’s extensive portfolio consists of a range of monovarietal wines (Vidiano, Plytó, Mandilari, Assyrtiko, Vilana, Thrapsathiri, Kotsifali) – some from single, premium vineyard plots, as well as blends of indigenous and international varieties (such as Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot). Quality remains key and the style emphasises fruit precision, purity and supple texture – placing the wines firmly in the modern camp, yet without flamboyance or exaggeration.
Green harvest in August in order to obtain a proper taste and polyphenol ripeness. Hand-harvested during the second week of September. Pre-fermentation maceration was carried out at 10 degrees for 2 days. Fermentation was achieved at temperatures between 27 and 29 degrees by selected yeasts. 15% of the wine has been aged in oak for about 12 months.